Mogadishu, Somalia — The Office of the Auditor General of Somalia (OAGS) has officially published the Audit Report of the Annual Financial Statements of the Federal Government for the financial year ended 31 December 2024, now accessible via their website (www.oag.gov.so) and through the Ministry of Finance’s publications hub.
The report highlights major accountability gaps in the management of public resources. A critical finding concerns the World Bank–funded Baxnaano social benefits program, implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and executed by the World Food Programme (WFP). The auditors were unable to verify whether $153 million disbursed under the program reached the intended beneficiaries because WFP did not provide the necessary supporting documentation, despite agreements requiring such data to be shared.
The audit also raised persistent concerns over revenue transparency in concession agreements. Neither Favori LLC nor Mogadishu Alport Corp. (Albayrak-Somalia) has submitted independently audited financial statements, making it impossible to confirm the government’s full share of revenues from airport and port operations. This recurring issue continues to undermine fiscal transparency and accountability.
The 2024 audit is part of OAGS’s broader efforts to strengthen financial oversight, with 38 separate audit reports released in the past cycle alone. While this demonstrates a growing commitment to accountability, the findings underscore systemic risks that demand urgent attention. The lack of verifiable data in social protection programs undermines public trust and donor confidence, while opaque concession revenues raise the possibility of revenue leakage and weaken government finances.
OAGS has pledged to continue working with ministries, agencies, and development partners to enforce audit recommendations and close gaps in financial reporting. As Somalia deepens reforms in public financial management, the newly released audit is expected to fuel parliamentary debate, civil society scrutiny, and donor discussions on how best to improve governance and accountability in the years ahead.